Ex-Catanduanes lawmaker charged over shabu lab

MANILA, Philippines — Charges have been filed against former Catanduanes congressman Cesar Sarmiento over his alleged involvement in a shabu laboratory in Virac that was dismantled in November 2016.

Charges of conspiracy to manufacture prohibited narcotics under the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act were filed by the Virac police before the Department of Justice on Feb. 26.

In a four-page complaint, Virac police chief Maj. Bon Billy David Timuat said Sarmiento did not only benefit from the shabu laboratory but also conspired with former National Bureau of Investigation anti-illegal drugs unit official Augusto Eric Isidoro in the manufacture of illegal drugs.

The police cited the testimony of Ernesto Tabor Jr., alias Entoy, who claimed to have personal knowledge of the transactions between Sarmiento and Isidoro.

Tabor  said  Sarmiento  received millions of pesos in protection and campaign money from  the illegal drug trade. He claimed Isidoro, whom he said was a friend of the former congressman, delivered the money.

Tabor claimed he and Isidoro delivered around P10 million at the former lawmaker’s residence sometime in April 2016. He said another P10 million was remitted to Sarmiento in August 2016.

Sarmiento lost to Joseph Cua in the gubernatorial race in Catanduanes in 2019.